14 DAY TRIAL // "The first camera system resulted from this partnership is expected in the first quarter of 2008," they said in November 2007 and apparently, they stood by their words. Phase One A/S, makers of the well known digital backs, and Mamiya Digital Imaging, makers of a wide variety of cameras and lenses, have just announced their open medium format digital camera platform.
Judging by the specs, it's safe to say that the new platform is by far the most flexible of all the solutions on the market. It will be known as the Phase One 645 Camera or the Mamiya 645AFDIII and it will accept "all quality digital camera backs" and the "widest choice of high-end lenses". The press release doesn't say anything specific about the backs, but it does mention the compatible lenses. Future owners will be able to mount the complete Mamiya 645 lens range, the new 28mm aspherical and D series lenses, as well as Hasselblad V-lenses and Pentacon Six lenses.
Body wise, it appears that the new platform is based on the Mamiya 645AFD II, which means there shouldn't be any differences between them.
"Phase One and Mamiya have taken the first step in delivering a unique approach to designing camera systems. We believe that equipment interoperability and personal choice are integral values in realizing the highest quality imaging results. Furthermore we have invested heavily in optimizing all elements of the camera systems reliability to maximize the photographers' time for shooting extraordinary images," said Henrik H?konsson, CEO of Phase One.
"Mamiya and Phase One are consolidating our expertise and fulfilling our ambitions to provide the products desired by our customers," said Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, CEO of Mamiya Digital Imaging. "We will continue to cooperate and work hard to ensure that future camera systems are limited only by the imagination and desires of the artists that use them," he added.
The first pre-production units will be demonstrated this week at the Photo Imaging Expo. Full technical details, including system component options will be provided at the start of volume production shipments, expected in QY2.
